After watching I Predicted a Riot, the debut show from policeman turned comic Alfie Moore, the conclusion must be that whilst he’s funny, perhaps it isn’t time to quit the day job just yet. More importantly, it’s clear he doesn’t want to. The Sheffield based copper’s set so clearly reflects his enthusiasm for the thin blue line that at times it feels less like stand up and more a lecture in riot history with some jokes thrown in. It should be a recipe for disaster but oddly enough the show makes for a reasonably amusing hour of entertainment.
Moore himself comes across as warm and congenial but with a sprinkling of dry, Northern wit. Within minutes of arriving on stage he’d built up a fantastic rapport with the audience. It’s refreshing to see a comedian who seems to genuinely appreciate his fee paying crowd, not seeing them as mere targets for mockery.
The material on display here is clearly aimed at a mature audience. Consisting of some reasonably pedestrian gags and a series of policing anecdotes, the humour is inoffensive. Poor Postman Pat skit aside, it all raises lots of laughs as Moore waxes lyrical about everything from handcuffs to petrol bomb safety visors. A lot of the funniest moments are derived from his fastidious deference to facts and it’s admirable that the funnyman is so willing to send himself up.
More compelling than the comedy, however, are Moore’s considered musings on what caused the countrywide rioting last summer and his take on the police’s oft criticised response. As a socialist he has some controversial opinions and gives off the impression that the chance to air them is his true motivation for doing the show. Indeed, the stand up feels like an afterthought at times, it’s decorative where it should be integral.
Nevertheless, Alfie Moore is worth a look; he’s an superb entertainer-educator and, though the jokes are spaced further apart than comedy aficionados might be used to, he’s so engaging that you’ll hardly notice.
